RiverBrew Makes The Paper
February 29th, 2008 | by Noel |Last year, a bunch of guys at Riverview started a brewing ministry called RiverBrew. Make sure you check out the site because they have a lot of great information there about the Bible’s stance on alcohol.
The basic premise of the group is the enjoy God’s creation and model moderation. I love their tagline: “Quality over Quantity.” It’s a great entry point into the church for people who misperceive God as a tea-totaller.
Today, the Lansing State Journal posted an article about the ministry. I felt like Dan, Brett, and Gary really represented Riverview and Jesus very well. Good job, guys.
Here’s one quote from each of them in the article:
“We just saw this as another group where, instead of a bunch of guys sitting around wondering if people are going to ask about their feelings, they get to do something they’d enjoy doing anyway and also talk about Jesus.”
-Dan Price
“God put a lot of cool things on this earth.”
-Gary Rudnicki
“I believe [Jesus] would sit down with the people in the bar, and he would drink what they were drinking…and he would be happy to do that.”
-Brett Maxwell
Oh, and click here to take part in LSJ’s poll “Is it appropriate for religious ministries to use beer in their outreach programs?”
By Lisa on Feb 29, 2008
I hate the binary nature of the opinion poll. I think my answer is along the lines of “In moderation, and given the right context, alcohol is not inappropriate.” I *do* think RiverBrew is handling the topic well, but it’s a delicate issue and my personal preference is to avoid officially sanctioning it, lest my bretheren be offended.
By Dominick on Feb 29, 2008
I agree with Lisa. I think RiverBrew is doing a good thing and this is an area that needs to carefully approached. I know I have had many conversations with people about youth groups doing trips and having the cool fun meetings with games just as ploys to get kids involved, and the same thing goes for that. You can have your flashing lights and cool graphics or beer in this case, but make it for the Lord. And I think the guys are doing a great job with that.
By Hans on Feb 29, 2008
Looks like a slight majority don’t see it as OK to use alcohol for outreach. I’m guessing they wouldn’t like messages on sex for outreach. Maybe we could do a church plant, RiverBrew Microbrewery.
By Dan on Feb 29, 2008
Yeah, the poll is worded very weird. I would say that if you just handed out beer as people came to a church service and tried to get them drunk on beer to get them drunk on the holy spirit, that I wouldn’t be in favor of it. But Riverbrew is really reaching some guys and God is being discussed, which is really cool.
By Fritz on Feb 29, 2008
I think I’m going to start a spin off group that avoids the whole issue of alcohol but still includes beer…
I’m gonna call it RiverDouls
By the e/v on Mar 2, 2008
Fist let me preface this with I enjoy an occasional drink. But I do think it is inappropriate for the church to hold a ministry that is open to all, when there are those who are alcoholics, struggle with drinking, or believe that it would be a sin for them to engage in such an activity. Given the diversity of our church I believe that it should be a private invite only thing.
By hoops on Mar 2, 2008
read this recently…
the story is told that Charles Spurgeon, the famous British preacher, once visited a prominent scholar from Turkey who was on the faculty at Oxford University. He traveled there with two of his deacons.
The man ushered them into his drawing room, opened a box of his prized cigars, and offered them to each of his visitors. the two deacons refused the cigars with great indignation while Spurgeon took one of the cigars, lit it up, and comfortably sat down and enjoyed a pleasant conversation with his host.
On the way back to London, as they rode on the train, the deacons scolded Spurgeon, claiming that he had compromised his testimony as a man of God; to which Spurgeon answered, “Well, one of the three of us had to act like a Christian.”
By Holly on Mar 3, 2008
No one has even mentioned the best part of this article:
“But the church has ministry groups for archers, FOR RUNNERS, and for people who play strategy games…”
Thanks for the mention. :o)
~RivRunner Ministry Leader
PS: I have two more comments to make:
1.) This has been stirring up some great conversation here at my office and I’m sure other places all over the Lansing area. That’s awesome.
2.) What’s this “strategy games” ministry? Is it like Dungeons and Dragons? Yu-Gi-Oh? Webkinz?!?!! So curious….
By Noel on Mar 3, 2008
I’m sure it is Webkinz.
By Nicksus on Apr 3, 2008
Writing comments is a very good deal, but only in case when you understand the topic completely